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Young leaders to advise on Indigenous healing

Date posted: 4 September 2013

A new youth-led initiative will support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make a difference in their communities and achieve healing. The Young healers program, to be launched in Perth on 3 September, will work with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people around the country to address intergenerational trauma affecting many Indigenous young people.

The new program is an initiative of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation which was formed on the first anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations and supports culturally strong, locally run Indigenous healing programs as well as funding education and research on Indigenous healing.

Healing Foundation, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Richard Weston said the continuing impact of past events on young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders should not be underestimated. The Healing Foundation acknowledges the affects past government policies, particularly the removal of children, continue to have on our young people.' Mr Weston said. 'Our aim is to create opportunities for our young people to support each other in dealing with the issues that are affecting them, their families, and their friends, to show them that they aren't alone and that they can address these issues from a place of strength and resilience.' He said.

The Healing Foundation's programs aim to build resilience in children and young people, support members of the Stolen Generations, assist communities to build cultural strength and educate and train workers in the sectors such as health and childcare.